Opening Day Lecture, Musical Performances by Pianist Leslie Amper, Gallery Talks, and More Celebrate George Bellows, On View June 10 through October 8, 2012, at the National Gallery of Art

Washington, DC—A selection of related public programs accompanies the exhibition George Bellows, on view in the West Building at the National Gallery of Art from June 10 through October 8, 2012. Including some 130 paintings, drawings, and lithographs, this comprehensive exhibition of Bellows' career is the first in more than three decades. Related activities that explore the life and work of this great American artist include an opening day lecture by exhibition curator Charles Brock, a ciné-concert and discussion by pianist Leslie Amper exploring the musical interests of Bellows and his wife Emma, a concert, a Gallery-produced exhibition film, a public symposium, gallery talks, and offerings in the Gallery Shops.

All programs are free of charge in the East Building Auditorium unless otherwise noted. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Introduction to the Exhibition—"George Bellows": An Unfinished LifeJune 10, 2:00 p.m.
Charles Brock, associate curator, department of American and British paintings, National Gallery of Art

Film Event

Ciné-Concert and Discussion: George Bellows—A Musical ViewJune 24, 4:00 p.m.
Lecture and performance by pianist Leslie Amper
In addition to playing a vital role in the New York art scene of the early 20th century, George and Emma Bellows were regulars at concerts, vaudeville shows, dance events, and the cinema. A pianist herself, Emma accompanied silent movies and dance classes; George was a talented choral singer and drummer. A screening of D. W. Griffith's The New York Hat (1912, 35 mm, 15 minutes)—shot near Emma's childhood home—concludes the program, with piano accompaniment by Leslie Amper, who also discusses the musical life of the Bellows family. (Total running time approximately 70 mins.)

Concerts

Leslie Amper, pianistJune 24, 4:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Ciné-concert: Sunday, 4:00 p.m.
Music for silent film The New York HatConcert: Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
Music by Gershwin, MacDowell, and other composers

Exhibition Film

Produced by the Gallery, this film uses original footage shot in RED in Manhattan and Maine to chronicle Bellows' career. In his works, the artist captured the rapidly changing face of early 20th-century New York, explored the rocky coast of Maine, and addressed the social and political issues of the day. The film will be screened in the West Building Lecture Hall daily beginning at noon, and in the East Building Auditorium Saturdays at 11:30 a.m., with minor exceptions. Made possible by the HRH Foundation

In addition to the full-color George Bellows exhibition catalogue, the Shops will offer the Gallery-produced exhibition film on DVD. Other items inspired by the exhibition include a new 2013 wall calendar with 12 images that capture the full range of the artist's work, a book of postcards with 24 top-quality reproductions bound together in a handy, artful collection, a boxed note card set, and a ceramic mug with the quote "Try everything that can be done….Learn your own possibilities." Book offerings include a rich selection of scholarly books related to George Bellows, his work, and American art, as well as the new children's book George Bellows: Painter with a Punch! Published in association with the National Gallery of Art, this fully illustrated biography for children is written by Robert Burleigh and covers the life and work of the prolific artist.

Exhibition Organization and Support

The exhibition was organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, in association with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Royal Academy of Arts, London.

The exhibition is made possible by Nippon Television Network Corporation, Tokyo, Japan.

The Terra Foundation for American Art is the proud sponsor of the exhibition in Washington and London.

The exhibition and catalogue are generously supported by the Henry Luce Foundation.

In Washington, it is also made possible by the Cordover Family Foundation, with additional support provided by The Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Horowitz Foundation for the Arts.

The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

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